The former Sao Paulo midfielder has been linked with a part-exchange involving young Swedish striker John Guidetti plus £15 million but there has not been any official contact so far.

Lazio are enjoying a good campaign this season, currently sixth in the Serie A table, with Hernanes's nine goals helping their cause but his agent, Joseph Lee, admits that a move to the Premier League would interest the 27-year-old.

"These are rumours and for now I do not wish to comment on them," Lee told LaLazioSiamoNoi.it. "City are a top club at world level and Hernanes loves the Premier League but I have too much respect for Lazio to say any more.

"We discussed many things with president Claudio Lotito in September, including his contract, but the situation has remained unchanged since then. There are no other meetings planned.

"What would happen if an offer came in from Manchester City? I repeat, for now we are talking about rumours, but if it did arrive then Lotito would be forced to call us."